School district warns of ‘unethical’ fundraising by anti-bullying nonprofit in St. George

ST. GEORGE — Washington County School District officials are warning local residents of fundraising efforts being performed by an anti-bullying nonprofit whose representatives have allegedly made claims all proceeds will benefit local schools.

The school district first posted a warning on Facebook at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Included was a picture attached to the post of the fundraising table and a representative of an organization named Stand for the Silent.

The fundraising tables and representatives were reported to be or have been at Harmons, Walmart and IFAs throughout the week.

The school district’s posted warning said, “We wanted to let you know that a group is popping up at different locations throughout our community claiming to raise funds for our schools and for our school district. This is false. We feel strongly this is unethical and immoral.”

Steven Dunham, the director of communications and foundation for the school district, said the organization had not contacted the school district prior to canvassing the area for donations, nor requested to partner with them to help raise funds for the local schools.

Washington County School District Facebook post warning residents of unauthorized fundraising group, St. George, Utah, Dec. 16, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Washington County School District, St. George News

However, Dunham told St. George News via phone that a person claiming to be the “consultant” of Stand for the Silent contacted him Wednesday – two full days after fundraising efforts commenced –  and tried to establish a partnership to raise funds.

The school district denied the request.

Stand for the Silent’s presence was brought to the school district’s attention, Dunham said, when it was provided a video recording from a concerned Washington County School District employee. Footage revealed a representative of the organization, saying the donations would “absolutely” remain 100% local.

St. George News contacted a representative for Stand for the Silent – John Lindsay, who is located in Florida –  who responded to the claims of “unethical” and “immoral” practices by the organization.

“Everything was addressed with the concerns Steven brought up,” Lindsay said.

When informed of the video recording of the representative at the donation table saying all donations were kept locally, Lindsay said, “I don’t believe you. If it’s on a video, then that’s something we need to address … 100%. We want to be transparent in everything we do. If that’s on video, then that’s a huge, huge mistake by whoever said that.”

Shauna Lund, communications and foundation coordinator of the Iron County School District, told St. George News “there has been no contact with the district by the Stand for the Silent organization.”

According to IRS 990 forms filed by the nonprofit Stand for the Silent, Inc., the organization is based out of Perkins, Oklahoma. The nonprofit’s website states, “The Stand For The Silent (SFTS) program addresses the issue of school bullying with an engaging, factual, and emotional methodology.”

Screenshot of representative of organization seeking donations to Washington County School District, St. George, Utah, Dec. 16, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Washington County School District, St. George News

According to the site, the organization was started by students who heard about the suicide of the son of Kirk and Laura Smalley from bullying actions in 2010 – since then, educating youth on bullying issues.

The IRS 990 form has Kirk M. Smalley listed as the president of the nonprofit Stand for the Silent. Click the links provided to access the nonprofit’s IRS 990 Forms for years 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

An additional concern is that representatives working at the donation tables appear to not be volunteers or workers for the Stand for the Silent. Rather, they are representatives of Prolific Solutions,  a marketing company out of Salt Lake City, and are not listed as a Stand for Silent cooperating partner on the website.

Both the Iron County and Washington County school districts have foundations set up to address bullying issues, and anyone who would like to help out local students may donate, with 100% of the proceeds going to students.

Both the Stand for the Silent main organization and Prolific Solutions have not replied to St. George News’ multiple attempts to contact them.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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